Carolyn "Miss D" Domenick (70) of Newton

Published on December 12 2012 9:49 am

Carolyn "Miss D" Domenick, 70, of Newton, Illinois died at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Evergreen Nursing and Rehab in Effingham.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM – Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner, IL with Tom Matson officiating. Memorials may be made to the Carolyn Domineck scholarship fund. Arrangements are under the care of Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.blakefh.com.

A Celebration of Life honoring Miss D will held at 1:45 PM – Saturday, December29, 2012 at the Newton Community High School Gymnasium. Arrangements are under the care of the Crain Funeral Home in Newton, IL and the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL. Condolences can be left at www.crainfuneral.com or www.blakefh.com.

Carolyn, better known as “Miss D” was born on April 14, 1942 in DuQuoin, Illinois the daughter of Eugene “Bow Wow” and Dimple (Sanders) Domineck. Carolyn was a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She came to Newton in 1971 and was the band director at Newton Grade School. In 1974, Miss D became the band director at Newton Community High School, a position she held until her retirement. One of her fondest memories was taking the Newton Marching Eagles to the Rose Bowl Parade in 1984. After her retirement, Miss D continued her passion of teaching music by becoming the director of the St. Thomas Grade School Band.

………….The earthly journey is over for Miss D. . . but oh, what a journey! From the little town of Christopher, IL, to the first female members of the Marching Salukis at SIU. . . on to a stellar career with the Newton Marching Eagles, turning a struggling band program of 40 into one of the finest and largest (240) in the land--a first female band director in an era when women were hired only for choir, orchestra, or elementary schools. Forever, we will pause and remember. . .when we hear "I Saw the Light" or "Nobody Does it Better". . .when we drive down Washington Street from NCHS to the square, the practice/parade route so aptly renamed "Miss D Avenue," when we watch the annual Rose Bowl Parade, and remember the infamous, impossible corner. . .and probably shed a tear for our signature tune, "Battle Hymn of the Republic," for her music will linger in our souls and in our hearts. However, although her music and her band remain vitally important to us, that is not her true legacy. She touched the lives of so many students--fostering self esteem, building confidence, teaching values of friendship and respect, but always, always . . . walking a path of love. Bruce, as one of her very first students, you learned those lessons well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the years of love and care you gave my friend. Your demonstration of love has been an inspiration. The miracle of the life of a teacher---her students will spread those lessons and that love exponentially, in ways we can only begin to comprehend. Let that love be her true legacy. We will miss you, dear friend!!!!!!

Tribute by: Special Friend Sandra Nichols

Miss D is survived by: Special Friend and Caregiver – Bruce Balding of Newton, IL; Uncle – Eugene (Edna) Sanders and several cousins; and Hundreds of band students that she considered her kids.